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Tigers back recalled No.7 Miller

Steve Jancetic and Joe Barton

Wests Tigers veteran Adam Blair has vowed to be Jacob Miller's minder after the NRL rookie was recalled to fill the NRL club's troublesome No.7 jumper against Canterbury on Friday night.

Dumped after failing to grasp his opportunity over the opening three rounds of the competition, Miller has been handed a second chance out of necessity more than his own good form with the Tigers enduring a nightmare injury run.

The two men who have played halfback since Miller was axed to the NSW Cup have both gone down with injury, the latest being Tim Moltzen who won't play again in 2013 as he undergoes a knee reconstruction.

Such was coach Michael Potter's reluctance to recall Miller that he considered rushing 18-year-old Luke Brooks into the top grade with just six under 20s games under his belt.

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"He's back in this team with an opportunity to grab," Blair said of Miller.

"He's trained well the last couple of days. He's looking to push for his spot.

"He's a really exciting young kid, he's got a lot of talent and just needs to play simple I think.

"I'm playing outside him and I'll give him a hand there with what he needs to do."

The return of Miller was one of a number of changes for the injury-hit Tigers, with Bodene Thompson and Joel Reddy named in the centres to cover for injured pair Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford, with Marika Koroibete back from injury on the wing for Reddy.

The Bulldogs have James Graham back on deck for the first time this year, the Englishman to play his first game since he was banned for 12 matches for biting the ear of Melbourne's Billy Slater in last year's grand final.

While Miller was recalled from the NSW Cup, another young halfback was going the other way with Canberra's Sam Williams axed to make way for Terry Campese, who will start in the halves against Melbourne alongside halfback Josh McCrone.

Manly have named Tom Symonds in the centres and David Gower, Jesse Sene-Lefao and George Rose on an extended bench to cover for the absence of suspended duo Steve Matai and Richie Fa'aoso as well as injured co-captain Jason King (shoulder).

Parramatta pair Ben Roberts and Ben Smith have paid the price for the Eels' heavy defeat to Penrith, with both named to play for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup this weekend.

Eels under 20s hooker Kaysa Pritchard, the younger brother of Bulldogs back-rower Frank, will make his NRL debut off the bench against North Queensland on Saturday night, while Peni Terepo has also been named on the bench and Api Pewhairangi in the centres in place of Jacob Loko.

Gold Coast have been boosted by the return of Kevin Gordon and Brad Takairangi to the backline, while former Junior Kiwi Mark Ioane has been named on the bench for the trip across the Tasman to play the Warriors, who have Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei back from injury.